I am running an HO scale. I have 18" radius on my curves on a 4X8 layout.
I want to run a steam locomotive on DC with sound.
Does anyone know if the Broadway steam with sound will run on a 18" radius
I found a 4-6-4 and a 2-8-2 but the salesman was not sure if they would take the small radius. I do not want to invest the money if they won’t make the curve.
Are there any other manufactures I should look at? Should I consider a sound box rather than on-board sound?
Chuck,
Bellefontaine…know where that is…west of Columbus and just west of Marion…NE of Springfield, OH. Driven down SR 4 a few times. Pretty drive through all that farm land. (Even the women’s prison looks pastoral.)
Anyway, don’t know about the 4-6-2 but I would think that your 2-8-2 Mike should operate fine. I have an Athearn 2-8-2 that works on my short section of 18" radius. I opted to go with 22" radius on the majority of my 4 x 8. Operationallly, the 22" radii will not only run nicer but also “look” nicer doing it. The only time I’ve had my 2-8-2 derail is when I’ve left the turnout in the wrong position.
Someone else will surely chime in with some experience with the BLIs.
Tom
I have several Broadway steam locomotives and they are all of the PRR roadname. I don’t know what railroad you are modeling, but the following WILL work on 18" radius:
PRR K-4 4-6-2 Pacific
PRR M-1 4-8-2 Mountain
If you visit the Broadway Limited website, the information on minimum turn radius is there in the description. As far as quality, BLI is top notch. Plus, if you are DC or DCC it doesn’t matter. The trains will run on either WITHOUT having to make any jumper switches or modifications.
cmhill
You could get one of the MRC sound units, they make a steam one. I have the diesel unit, they aren’t bad, not as good sounding as a DC or DCC sound equiped engine. Dallsee or someone along those lines also makes some sound units, These are the stationary types. If you can get a sound equipped loco, I think you would be much more satisfied though.
Be satisfied with GP Diesels and wait for 2-6-0, 2-6-2, or 0-6-0 engine’s.
You built your layout with too small of curves… unless if you like to force equipment to run ‘toylike’.
A MRC stand alone with speakers & sound choice has some merit.
True, not as original as an on board but it may be cheap & sound effective.
You have choices.
Chuck - Off topic but I lived in Bellefontaine as a child. My grandfather was an engineer at the yard in Bellefontaine. Thats where I got the bug I guess.
OK back to the topic.
Terry
I’am using an MRC 7000 With speakers under the lay out,ok for now,will put sound in my loco’s when the price comes down and sound units for DC become available,I hav’nt found any under $100.00 yet??OH! by the way I have 18" curves ! Mr Gibson why so hard on us? some of us don’t have room for big curves,they would be nice if a person has the room,And by the way I don’t consider my lay out as toy like!!But I don’t have a big fancy lay out at the present!My HO is 42"X10’ that is all the room I have.
JIM from the other side of the track,poor folks
I went to Broadway’s site. They have a 4-6-2 PRR K-4 they say will run on 18". A little pricey though. $450. I may wait for the price on this one to drop.
cmhill,
I have a BLI 2-8-2 Mike that runs fine on the 18-inch curves in the BRVRR’s reverse loop and sidings. It goes through the snap-switches without problems too. I don’t think you will have a problem.
BTW, I got my Mike for under $170 last Christmas. I have seen them even cheaper at a couple of the LHSs.
Don’t buy direct drom BLI, that’s the retail price. Ebay or some on-line discount stores will be cheaper. There’s a bunch of BLI 2-8-2’s on ebay for $150 I think.
Ken.